Smart Power and Authentic Leadership with Dr. Sylvia Rhode-Liebenau (Part 1)

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🎧 Episode 165: Smart Power and Authentic Leadership with Dr. Sylvia Rhode-Liebenau

In Part 1 of this insightful episode, we explore the transformative concept of "Smart Power" with Dr. Sylvia Rhode-Liebenau, founder of the Smart Power Method and leadership expert with over 30 years of experience. From her academic background in international relations to her 17-year tenure at the European Investment Bank, Sylvia brings a unique perspective that integrates artistic expression with executive coaching for organizations like UNHCR, European Central Bank, and Amazon.

We dive deep into:

• Redefining power beyond force and control
• The three pillars of Smart Power: purpose, collaboration, and authenticity
• Why showing emotions at work makes leaders more effective, not less
• The concept of "grounded leadership" in volatile times
• How to express emotions professionally without "polluting" the workplace environment
• The connection between physical presence and leadership resilience
• Lessons from Viktor Frankl on purpose-driven leadership during chaos

🔑 Key takeaways:

1. True power comes from inspiring others toward a shared purpose, not from controlling them
2. Collaboration creates exponential results - "one plus one equals eleven"
3. Authenticity requires showing up as your healthy self, not your unfiltered self
4. Leaders who hide their emotions lose trust and connection with their teams
5. "Speak out but don't act out" - use emotions as signals, not weapons
6. Physical presence and breath awareness enhance emotional and mental stability
7. Purpose provides resilience during unprecedented change and complexity

💡 Quotes to remember:

"When we are grounded in a purpose, something that is really important to us, then we are more resilient and therefore also more powerful."

"Speak out but don't act out. You can use some of your emotion to express that, but you will not pollute the environment with your unfiltered expression."

"Authenticity doesn't mean I always say everything that just comes or I'm my unfiltered self... It means to show up fully, to be really present, to be open, but in the healthy way of being myself."

https://www.smartpowermethod.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvia-rohde-liebenau-phd-b51b0328/

A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!
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Chapters

1. Welcome to Year Three of Evoke Greatness (00:00:00)

2. Introducing Dr. Sylvia Rowe-Libanau (00:01:58)

3. From Politics to Leadership Development (00:03:15)

4. Rethinking Power: The Smart Power Method (00:08:32)

5. Authenticity in Leadership Without Emotional Pollution (00:14:36)

6. Grounded Leadership: Purpose and Embodiment (00:21:37)

7. Episode Wrap and Next Week Preview (00:26:58)